Prometheus – Movie Preview

Possibly the most highly anticipated cinematic event of this summer is the release of science fiction horror Prometheus. The film will be the fifth instalment in the Alien series, and Ridley Scott (director of the first film) has returned to take the helm. Set in the late 21st century, Prometheus takes place before all of the other Alien movies and looks to be a terrifying forerunner to the franchise – but whatever you do, don’t call it a prequel…

The Storyline

Originally pitched as a prequel to the Alien films, Prometheus is now being described as a separate story which takes place in the same universe, but is not directly related to the events of the other movies. Speaking to MTV, Scott said: ‘While Alien was indeed the jumping-off point for this project, out of the creative process evolved a new, grand mythology and universe in which this original story takes place. The keen fan will recognize strands of Alien’s DNA, so to speak, but the ideas tackled in this film are unique, large and provocative’.

Those unique ideas are tied up in the origins of the human race. After discovering what appears to be a ‘star map’ carved onto walls of ancient Earth civilizations, a team of scientists are sent out aboard the spaceship Prometheus, following the map in the hope that they will discover clues to the roots of mankind. Unfortunately, while exploring an advanced alien civilization, they come across something which threatens to destroy the human race altogether.

The Cast

Risking the terrors of outer space (where no-one can hear you scream) will be Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Guy Pearce, Idris Elba, Logan Marshall-Green and Charlize Theron. Noomi Rapace (of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo fame) will follow in the footsteps of Sigourney Weaver and play the ‘Ripley’ role of Elizabeth Shaw, an archaeologist turned astronaut turned warrior.

Michael Fassbender will take on the difficult part of David, the token robot, which has been filled in the past by the likes of Ian Holm, Lance Henriksen and Winona Ryder. Rather than watching previous Alien films, Fassbender has reportedly taken inspiration from Blade Runner, David Bowie, and even Olympic diver Greg Louganis. Charlize Theron will play Meredith Vickers, the face of the corrupt Weyland Corporation which has loomed large and evil over every film in the franchise.

Three Reasons to get Excited

1. The extensive advertising campaign has been getting better and better. The trailers, which make great use of the original style and sound effects recognisable from the first film, are mini-works of art in themselves. As part of the teaser campaign, a fictional television advert for David (the Weyland Corporation robot played by Fassbender) has been released, and there has even been a fictional TEDTalk, with Guy Pearce in his role as Peter Weyland outlining a vision for the future in true Weyland Corp style. With trailers this good, who needs the film?

2. Although it isn’t being called a prequel or a sequel, Prometheus will still definitely be an Alien film. It will not feature the toothy Alien, the spidery face-hugger, or the stomach-flipping chest-burster. However, from watching the trailer alone – which features images of the crashed alien ship from the first film, the Space-Jockey creature, some suspicious looking egg-like objects, and just a little bit of good old-fashioned slime – it’s safe to assume that Prometheus will include plenty of references to the other films, revealing more of the back story while also telling a new one.

3. It looks like this film might actually be scary. Properly scary. The kind of scary that makes you start sweating, forget all about your popcorn and just concentrate on digging your fingernails into your armrests. Prometheus may once again let us experience the thrill of sitting in the cinema and actually fearing for our lives – like the first Alien film did, in fact. That’s pretty exciting.

Prometheus will hit UK cinemas on the 1st of June. So, dig out your Alien Quadrilogy box sets and swot up on extra-terrestrial genetics; the Aliens (or an early version thereof) are coming back to town.